THE DHARMA CAIRNS OF KHARAK GOMCHUNG

NAMO GURAVE

Once, the great spiritual friend Putowa and the Little Meditator of Kharak were dwelling, one above and one below, among the rocks behind a monastery in the province of Phen. At that time, Geshe Putowa thought, “This Little Meditator of Kharak does not have much technique in his meditation, yet he does have much perseverance in his dumb meditation. If he would request meditation instruction from me, he would come to the true dharma.”

One day, he met Kharak Gomchung at the assembly, and he said, “You the greatly persevering meditator—what degree of experience and realization has arisen in you?”

The Little Meditator of Kharak replied, “By meditating on the difficulty of gaining human birth, free and well-favored, and on death and impermanence, I understand to turn my mind from the world. By seeing the cause and result of karma as well as the retribution of saṃsāra, I understand to turn my mind from the seeming pleasures of existence and from desirable things. By meditating on the impossibility of happiness no matter where one is born, I understand to turn my mind from the three realms of saṃsāra. By meditating on friendliness, compassion, and bodhicitta, I understand to turn my mind from striving to attain my own peace and happiness. By meditating on the unborn nature of all dharmas, I understand to turn my mind from all grasping and fixation.”

Putowa thought, “He is not a little meditator; he is a great meditator!” Putowa then admitted to the Little Meditator of Kharak that he had had doubts about him, and said, “Tomorrow, when you all have dharma discussion, I shall come and request you to write down your experiences and realizations in meditation.”

The next day, when Geshe Putowa arrived, Kharak Gomchung was in retreat; yet Kharak Gomchung had built four cairns in the four directions.

On the eastern cairn was written:

To this feeble one, many harmful calamities have come.

When I obtain confidence, calamities dawn as friends.

This confidence is like a spark which ignites a forest fire.

I vow to dwell alone.

On the southern cairn was written:

Māra, lord of death, never resting, comes closer and closer.

As for the means to escape him, there is not even one.

This very moment, I do not give in to drowsiness and distraction,

And I think, “Alas, when will he come for me?”

On the western cairn was written:

Enough food and clothing to sustain this life is sufficient.

Later, it may be impossible to seek perfect enlightenment.

Not attached to friends and enemies being near or far,

One should attain enlightenment for future well-being.

On the northern cairn was written:

The sophistries of words are inexhaustible.

Therefore, take up the wisdom of the Victorious One.

The seats of the forefathers are holy solitudes;

So dwell there alone like a rhinoceros.

On the lintel of the doorway was written:

Not having harvested or hoarded necessities,

Will you die from cold or from hunger, great meditator?

Who will see or hear what happens to you?

Exert yourself in practicing the essential yoga.

On the threshold of the doorway was written:

Those who are selfish, discontent, and callous

Perpetuate trouble; it is best to be without such servants.

My attendants are prajñā and exertion.

In order to accomplish the goal you desire, be free from weary sadness.